Chief: Bloomfield aims to increase minority officers

More than 18 percent of the population of Bloomfield is African-American, yet currently five of the Bloomfield Police Department’s 120 officers are black.

That being said, Acting Police Chief James Behre said the number of minorities on the force has risen during his years with the force. At the start of his career, there were only three African-Americans and three Hispanics in the Bloomfield Police Department.

Current statistics show with 19 Hispanic officers, four Asian and six female officers (three of whom are Hispanic), a total of 34 or 28.3 percent of the department is comprised of some sort of minority.

Bloomfield’s population is 24.5 percent Hispanic or Latino, according to the 2010 Census, while 8 percent is Asian.

"We seem to have more Hispanic officers interested in police work," Behre said. "The applications for the exam are through Civil Service; the process is easy and the information is readily available on the internet, and we advertise in our community. I would like to see more African-Americans apply for the exam."

Behre said that, when there is a notice of a pending Civil Service exam, magnetized placards are placed in patrol cars to alert the public. The department has recently received a new Civil Service list, and a large number of candidates are comprised of minorities, he said.

"The exam follows Civil Service guidelines," Behre said. "The state advertises and posts the date on its website. The state gives the exam and promulgates a list of eligible candidates. Our hiring list requires one to be a Bloomfield resident.

"The interview process consists of a background investigation, physical and psychological exam and interview. The final decision is based on these factors, and final decision is made by input from our two Internal Affairs officers, our personnel director, the township administrator and myself.

"Before we eliminate a candidate, we must adhere to the Civil Service guidelines which are in place and serve to remove any bias or political influence in the hiring process."

State Police

The two most recent classes of the New Jersey State Police, last October and December, were the most diverse the state has seen in nearly a century, according to the agency’s Lt. Brian Polite, a Bloomfield native. With 42 whites, 25 Hispanics, 12 African-American and six Asians, in the 152nd class (October), Polite said "minorities were actually the majority."

This trend followed suit in December, when the 153rd class consisted of 55 whites, 29 Hispanics, 19 African-Americans and five Asians.

"The State Police has taken initiative, and we understand the need for the police force to represent the community it represents," Polite said. "We are looking for diversity, but we also want to bring in qualified candidates who are able to do the job."

Polite said that the State Police has taken steps, which may not have been done in the past, to attract minority candidates, using campaigns and recruiting posters focusing on the minority community. It has also partnered with various community leaders throughout the state to help attract diverse candidates.

"We understand that you have to reach out," Polite said. "We want to reach out to everyone. It only makes for a stronger agency when you’re able to build relationships within the community."

"A police department that reflects the demographics of its community tends to form partnerships with its citizens, which leads to better communication as it relates to servicing their needs," Behre said.